Fishing lure

ABSTRACT

A fishing lure or bait is a shaped body of a gelatinous elastomeric composition. The gelatinous elastomeric composition is made from a styrenic block copolymer and an oil mixture of a first oil and a second oil.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

A fishing lure or bait is made of a synthetic rubber composition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many commercially available fishing lures and baits are made fromplastisol. Plastisol is a dispersion or emulsion of polyvinyl chloride(PVC) resin in a plasticizer. Lures and baits made of various plastisolshave been widely accepted. They can be molded into various shapes, areeasily colored, and are relatively inexpensive. Additionally, theyappear lifelike. The plastisol fishing bait, however, is deficient inthat it is not very elastic, it is susceptible to tearing, it isrelatively hard (salt water lure—Shore 00 hardness 35-40; fresh waterlure—Shore 00 hardness 20+), it is perceived as environmentally unsafe,and while it appears lifelike, it does not feel lifelike.

Recently, it has been proposed that these fishing lures be made of asynthetic rubber as opposed to plastisols. Price, S., “New soft plastichave fishing world excited,” BASSMASTER, July 2002. Stout, L.,“Revolutionary Plastics, New technology may radically alter soft plasticlure market,” B.A.S.S. Times, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,884,639, 6,117,176,and 6,148,830. Specifically, these synthetic rubbers are thermoplasticelastomers (TPE); and more specifically, they are styrenic blockcopolymer. These new lures are a significant improvement over theplastisol lures. The new lures can be colored, shaped, are softer, andare elastic. These new lures not only look lifelike, but they also feellifelike.

The first lures made with these synthetic rubbers, however, were notproblem-free. One concern is the surface tackiness of the lure. Thesynthetic rubber has a high surface tack; therefore, it tends to clingto anything it comes into contact with. One solution to the surface tackconcern is set forth in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/378489 filed Mar. 3, 2003 by M. T. Shelton. Another concern is heatdeformation. Heat deformation refers to the body losing its originalshape after being exposed to an elevated temperature for a prolongedperiod of time (e.g. 50° C. for 1 hour). For example, a worm-shaped lure(i.e., generally rod-like) may be bent or folded in storage, and duringstorage, it may see temperatures greater than 100° F.(38° C.), and aftercooling, the bent or folded worm may not return to its original shape.Heat deformation is undesirable from a consumer point-of-view. Stillanother problem is processibility. Processibility refers to theflowability of the extrudate into the cavities of the mold whileretaining reasonable cycle times. The extrudate must have the properflow characteristics to completely fill all cavities of the mold; suchmolds may have from 12 to 150 cavities per mold. Still otherconsiderations include maintaining elasticity and tear resistance. Eachof these properties must be balanced to achieve a good quality lure.These properties, it is believed, are dependent, in part, on the choiceof the components of the synthetic rubber composition and their relativequantities in the mixture.

One prior art composition of blended styrenic block copolymers (SEEPS(styrene ethylene/ethylene-propylene-styrene), SEBS (styreneethylene/butylene styrene), and SEPS (styrene ethylene/propylenestyrene)) and a single oil (SEMTOL) produced lures with unacceptableheat deformation.

Accordingly, there is a need for a new fishing lure made of a syntheticrubber composition that has, among other things, low heat deformationand good processibility.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A fishing lure or bait is a shaped body of a gelatinous elastomericcomposition. The gelatinous elastomeric composition is made from astyrenic block copolymer and an oil mixture of a first oil and a secondoil.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Lures and baits may come in many various shapes. Lure and bait are usedinterchangeably herein. For example, the shape may be that of a lizardor a worm. Other shapes include: salamanders, fan tails, curly tailjigs, quad tail jigs, curly tail worms, split-tails, worm-crawfish,minnows, double tails, ripple tail worms, and the like. Further, theshape may also include a ‘rattle pocket’ for a rattle. For example, seeU.S. Pat. No. 4,993,183 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2002/0188057A1, both incorporated herein by reference.

The gelatinous elastomeric composition is a mixture of a thermoplasticelastomer (TPE) and an oil (or plasticizer). Preferably, thiscomposition is a mixture of a styrenic block copolymer and an oil, wherethe oil is in excess, by weight, of the copolymer. Most preferably, thecomposition is a mixture of one or more styrenic block copolymers and atleast two oils.

These gelatinous elastomeric compositions are elastic, tear resistant,and soft. They are elastic and can be stretched several times theiroriginal length. They are tear resistant and can withstand tearing. Theyare soft and have a Shore 00 hardness less than 10, preferably 4-6.

The styrenic block copolymers are thermoplastic elastomers. Theirstructure normally consists of a block of a rigid styrene on each endwith a rubbery phase in the center. Styrenic block copolymers include,but are not limited to, SBS (styrene butadiene styrene), SIS(styrene-isoprene-styrene), SEPS (styrene ethylene/propylene styrene),SEBS (styrene ethylene/butylene styrene), and SEEPS (styreneethylene/ethylene-propylene-styrene). These materials are commerciallyavailable from, for example, SEPTON Company of America, Pasadena, Tex.and KRATON Polymers, Houston, Tex. Exemplary SEPTON (US) productsinclude SEPTON 4055 (SEEPS); SEPTON 8006 (SEBS); and SEPTON 2006 (SEPS).Exemplary KRATON (US) products include KRATON 1651 (SEBS). Additionalproperties are set out in TABLE 1 below. TABLE 1 8006 4055 2006 1651Styrene Content (wt %) 33 30 35 33 Spec Gravity (ASTM D-792) 0.92 0.920.92 0.91 Hardness (Shore A) 79 78 61 ASTM D-2240 Melt Index (ASTMD-1238) @ 230° C., 2.16 kg No flow No flow No flow <1 (5 kg) (g/10 mm) @200° C., 10 kg No flow No flow (g/10 mm) Brookfield Viscosity (TolueneSoln, 30° C.) 5 wt % 41 90 27 10 wt % 5800 120 1800 25 wt % >50,000

The oil or plasticizer generally refers to mineral oils or silicone(dimethyl silaxone) oil. The oil is mixed with the styrenic blockcopolymer. It was learned during experimental work leading to thisinvention that increasing the amount of the heavier oils (i.e., greatermolecular weights or greater viscosity) decreased heat deformation andprocessibility, and increased surface tack. Such oils are commerciallyavailable from, for example, Crompton Corporation (Witco RefinedProducts), Greenwich, Conn. Exemplary oils include: BLANDOL whitemineral oil, CARNATION white mineral oil, KLEAROL white mineral oil,SEMTOL white mineral oil, and WITCO 40 OIL white mineral oil. Additionalproperties are set out in TABLE 2 below. TABLE 2 BLANDOL CARNATIONKLEAROL SEMTOL 40 WITCO 40 Specific Gravity 0.839/0.855 0.829/0.8450.827/0.838 0.804/0.827 0.810/0.830 @ 25%/25° C. (ASTM D4052) KinematicViscosity 14.2/17.0 10.8/13.6 6.7/9.7 3.9/5.5 3.9/5.0 @ 40° C., CST(ASTM D445) Color, Saybolt +30 min +30 min +30 min +30 min +30 min (ASTMD156) Pour Point, −7 −7 −2 −2 2 max ° C. (ASTM D97) Cloud Point, 4 max °C. (ASTM D2500)

A heat distortion additive maybe added to reduce or minimize the effectsof the heat deformation mentioned above. Heat distortion additivesinclude, but are not limited to, ENDEX 160, ENDEX 155, and GE PPOBLENDEX HPP 821.

Other conventional additives may also be added. Such additives include:UV-stabilizer, heat-stabilizer, pigments, dyes, flavorant, attractants,and the like.

In the gelatinous elastomeric composition, the oil is in excess, byweight, of the styrenic block copolymer. The copolymer may comprise5-20% by weight of the composition, while the oil may comprise 80-95% byweight of the composition. Preferably, the copolymer comprises about12-13% of the composition, while the oil comprises about 87-88% of thecomposition.

The copolymer component of the composition may comprise a singlecopolymer or a mixture of copolymers. If a single copolymer is used,SEBS is preferred. If a mixture of copolymers is used, SEEPS and SEBS orSEPS/SEBS combinations are preferred. Lures made with SEBS alone areadequate from a elastic and tear resistance perspective, but mixturescan provide superior elastic and tear resistant properties. In themixtures, it is preferred that the SEEPS component be the majorcomponent. Exemplary copolymer component formulations include 4-13%SEEPS, 1-5% SEBS, 0-2% SEPS. Most preferred is 9% SEEPS, 3% SEBS, and 1%SEPS.

The invention will be further illustrated in the following examples.

EXAMPLES

The following gels were made with 600 parts by weight of oil, 0.5 partsby weight of an antioxidant (IRGANOX 1010), and 0.5 parts by weight of aUV stabilizer (TINUVIN P), melt blended in a 16×150 mm glass test tube,cooled, removed, and 180° U blend tested 50° C. for 1.0 hour:

1. 80 parts by weight of SEPTON 4055 and 20 parts by weight of SEPTON2006, block copolymers, WITCO 40 OIL, the gel sample retained adeformation of about 30° C.

2. 80 parts by weight of SEPTON 8006 and 20 parts by weight of SEPTON4055, block copolymers, 35 parts by weight of a heat distortion additive(ENDEX 160), WITCO 40 OIL, the gel heat tested sample retained adeformation of about 84°.

3. Gels of 90 parts by weight of SEPTON 8006 and 10 parts by weight ofSEPTON 4055, block copolymers, 35 parts by weight of a heat distortionadditive (ENDEX 160), WITCO 40 OIL, the gel heat tested sample retaineda deformation of about 85°.

4. Gels of 80 parts by weight of SEPTON 8006 and 20 parts by weight ofSEPTON 4055, block copolymers, 45 parts by weight of a heat distortionadditive (ENDEX 160), WITCO 40 OIL, the gel heat tested sample retaineda deformation of about 91°.

5. Gels of 90 parts by weight of SEPTON 8006 and 10 parts by weight ofSEPTON 4055, block copolymers, 45 parts by weight of a heat distortionadditive (ENDEX 160), WITCO 40 OIL, the gel heat tested sample retaineda deformation of about 95°.

6. Gels of 100 parts by weight of SEPTON 8006, block copolymers, 25parts by weight of ENDEX 155, WITCO 40 OIL, the gel heat tested sampleretained a deformation of about 56°.

7. Gels of 100 parts by weight of SEPTON 8006, block copolymers, 45parts by weight of a heat distortion additive (ENDEX 155), WITCO 40 OIL,0.5 parts by weight of IRGANOX 1010, the gel heat tested sample retaineda deformation of about 57°.

8. Gels of 100 parts by weight of SEPTON 4055, block copolymers, WITCO40 OIL, the gel heat tested sample retained a deformation of about 90°.

9. Gels of 60 parts by weight of SEPTON 4055 and 30 parts by weight ofKRATON 1651 block copolymers, WITCO 40 OIL, the gel heat tested sampleretained a deformation of about 45°.

10. Gels of 30 parts by weight of SEPTON 4055 and 60 parts by weight ofKRATON 1651 block copolymers, WITCO 40 OIL, the gel heat tested sampleretained a deformation of about 55°.

11. Gels of 100 parts by weight of SEPTON 8006 block copolymers incombination with 33 parts by weight of a heat distortion additive (GEPPO BLENDEX® HPP821), 600 parts by weight of WITCO 40 OIL, the gel heattested sample retained a deformation of about 10°.

12. Gels of 60 parts by weight of SEPTON 4055 and 30 part by weight ofKRATON 1651 block copolymers in combination with 33 parts by weight of aheat distortion additive (GE PPO BLENDEX® HPP821), WITCO 40 OIL, the gelheat tested sample retained a deformation of about 33°.

13. Gels of 100 parts by weight of SEPTON 4055 block copolymers incombination with 25 parts by weight of a heat distortion additive (GEPPO BLENDEX® HPP821), WITCO 40 OIL, the gel heat tested sample retaineda deformation of about 30°.

14. Gels of 100 parts by weight of SEPTON 2006 block copolymers incombination with 25 parts by weight of a heat distortion additive (GEPPO BLENDEX® HPP821), WITCO 40 OIL, the gel heat tested sample retaineda deformation of about 15°.

15. Gels of 100 parts by weight of SEPTON 8006 block copolymers incombination with 25 parts by weight of a heat distortion additive (GEPPO BLENDEX® HPP821), WITCO 40 OIL, the gel heat tested sample retaineda deformation of about 35°.

16. Gels of 100 parts by weight of KRATON 1651 block copolymers incombination with 25 parts by weight of a heat distortion additive (GEPPO BLENDEX® HPP821), WITCO 40 OIL, the gel heat tested sample retaineda deformation of about 25°.

17. Gels of 100 parts by weight of SEPTON 4055 block copolymers incombination with 25 parts by weight of a heat distortion additive (ENDEX155), WITCO 40 OIL, the gel heat tested sample retained a deformation ofabout 75°.

18. Gels of 100 parts by weight of SEPTON 2006 block copolymers incombination with 25 parts by weight of a heat distortion additive (ENDEX155), WITCO 40 OIL, the gel heat tested sample retained a deformation ofabout 55°.

19. Gels of 100 parts by weight of SEPTON 8006 block copolymers incombination with 25 parts by weight of a heat distortion additive (ENDEX155), WITCO 40 OIL, the gel heat tested sample retained a deformation ofabout 30°.

20. Gels of 100 parts by weight of KRATON 1651 block copolymers incombination with 25 parts by weight of a heat distortion additive (ENDEX155), WITCO 40 OIL, the gel heat tested sample retained a deformation ofabout 27°.

21. Gels of 100 parts by weight of SEPTON 4055.block copolymers,BLANDOL, the gel heat tested sample retained a deformation of about 30°.

22. Gels of 100 parts by weight of SEPTON 4055 block copolymers,CARNATION, the gel heat tested sample retained a deformation of about30°.

23. Gels of 100 parts by weight of SEPTON 4055 block copolymers,KLEAROL, the gel heat tested sample retained a deformation of about 40°.

25. Gels of 50 parts by weight of SEPTON 4055 and 50 parts by weight ofSEPTON 2006 block copolymers (equal weight of BLANDOL and WITCO 40 OIL),the gel heat tested sample retained a deformation of about 57°.

26. Gels of 50 parts by weight of SEPTON 4055 and 50 parts by weight ofSEPTON 2006 block copolymers, WITCO 40 OIL, the gel heat tested sampleretained a deformation of about 78°.

27. Gels of 50 parts by weight of SEPTON 4055 and 50 parts by weight ofSEPTON 2006 block copolymers, WITCO 40 OIL, the gel heat testedsample-retained a deformation of about 80°.

28. Gels of 50 parts by weight of SEPTON 4055 and 50 parts by weight ofKRATON 1651 block copolymers (equal weight of BLANDOL and WITCO 40 OIL),the gel heat tested sample retained a deformation of about 55°.

29. Gels of 100 parts by weight of SEPTON 2006 block copolymers (equalweight of BLANDOL and WITCO 40 OIL), the gel heat tested sample retaineda deformation of about 45°. The resulting gel is highly tacky.

30. A Berkly and V & M PVC fishing baits were 180° U bend tested at 50°C. for 1.0 hour, both baits retained a deformation of about 34°.

The present invention may be embodied in other forms without departingfrom the spirit and the essential attributes thereof, and, accordingly,reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to theforegoing specification, as indicated the scope of the invention.

1.-27. (canceled)
 28. A gel comprising: an oil, 600 parts by weight;said oil being a white mineral oil; an antioxidant, 0.5 parts by weight;a UV stabilizer, 0.5 parts by weight; a heat distortion additive, in therange of 0.0 to 45 parts by weight; a styrenic block copolymer, in therange of 90 to 100 parts by weight, selected from the group consistingof: styrene ethylene/ethylene-propylene-styrene (SEEPS), styreneethylene/propylene-styrene (SEPS), styrene ethylene/butylene-styrene(SEBS), or combinations thereof; where when said gel is melt blendedinto 16×150 mm glass test tube, cooled and removed, then a 180° U bendtest is performed at 50° C. for 1 hour said gel has a retaineddeformation of about 10° to 95°; where said gel is molded into a fishinglure; and where said gel has a Shore 00 hardness in the range of 4 to 6.29. The gel according to claim 28 wherein: the amount of said heatdistortion additive is 0 parts by weight; the amount of said styrenicblock copolymer is 80 parts by weight of said SEEPS, 20 parts by weightof said SEPS; and said gel has a retained deformation of about 30°. 30.The gel according to claim 28 wherein: the amount of said heatdistortion additive is 35 parts by weight; the amount of said styrenicblock copolymer is 20 parts by weight of said SEEPS, and 80 parts byweight of said SEBS; and said gel has a retained deformation of about84°.
 31. The gel according to claim 28 wherein: the amount of said heatdistortion additive is 35 parts by weight; the amount of said styrenicblock copolymer is 10 parts by weight of said SEEPS, 90 parts by weightof said SEPS; and said gel has a retained deformation of about 85°. 32.The gel according to claim 28 wherein: the amount of said heatdistortion additive is 45 parts by weight; the amount of said styrenicblock copolymer is 20 parts by weight of said SEEPS, and 80 parts byweight of said SEBS; and said gel has a retained deformation of about91°.
 33. The gel according to claim 28 wherein: the amount of said heatdistortion additive is 45 parts by weight; the amount of said styrenicblock copolymer is 10 parts by weight of said SEEPS, and 90 parts byweight of said SEBS; and said gel has a retained deformation of about95°.
 34. The gel according to claim 28 wherein: the amount of said heatdistortion additive is 25-45 parts by weight; the amount of saidstyrenic block copolymer is 100 parts by weight of said SEBS; and saidgel has a retained deformation of about 56°-57°.
 35. The gel accordingto claim 28 wherein: the amount of said heat distortion additive is 0parts by weight; the amount of said styrenic block copolymer is 60 partsby weight of said SEEPS, and 30 parts by weight of said SEBS; and saidgel has a retained deformation of about 45°.
 36. The gel according toclaim 28 wherein: the amount of said heat distortion additive is 0 partsby weight; the amount of said styrenic block copolymer is 30 parts byweight of said SEEPS, and 60 parts by weight of said SEBS; and said gelhas a retained deformation of about 55°.
 37. The gel according to claim28 wherein: the amount of said heat distortion additive is 33 parts byweight; the amount of said styrenic block copolymer is 100 parts byweight of said SEBS; and said gel has a retained deformation of about10°.
 38. The gel according to claim 28 wherein: the amount of said heatdistortion additive is 33 parts by weight; the amount of said styrenicblock copolymer is 60 parts by weight of said SEEPS, and 30 parts byweight of said SEBS; and said gel has a retained deformation of about33°.
 39. The gel according to claim 28 wherein: the amount of said heatdistortion additive is 25 parts by weight; the amount of said styrenicblock copolymer is 100 parts by weight of said SEEPS; and said gel has aretained deformation of about 30°.
 40. The gel according to claim 28wherein: the amount of said heat distortion additive is 25 parts byweight; the amount of said styrenic block copolymer is 100 parts byweight of said SEPS; and said gel has a retained deformation of about15°.
 41. The gel according to claim 28 wherein: the amount of said heatdistortion additive is 25 parts by weight; the amount of said styrenicblock copolymer is 100 parts by weight of said SEBS; and said gel has aretained deformation of about 25°-35°.
 42. The gel according to claim 28wherein: the amount of said heat distortion additive is 25 parts byweight; the amount of said styrenic block copolymer is 100 parts byweight of said SEEPS; and said gel has a retained deformation of about75°.
 43. The gel according to claim 28 wherein: the amount of said heatdistortion additive is 25 parts by weight; the amount of said styrenicblock copolymer is 100 parts by weight of said SEPS; and said gel has aretained deformation of about 55°.
 44. The gel according to claim 28wherein: the amount of said heat distortion additive is 25 parts byweight; the amount of said styrenic block copolymer is 100 parts byweight of said SEBS; and said gel has a retained deformation of about27°-30°.
 45. The gel according to claim 28 wherein: the amount of saidheat distortion additive is 0 parts by weight; the amount of saidstyrenic block copolymer is 100 parts by weight of said SEEPS; and saidgel has a retained deformation of about 30°-90°.
 46. The gel accordingto claim 28 wherein: the amount of said heat distortion additive is 0parts by weight; the amount of said styrenic block copolymer is 50 partsby weight of said SEEPS, 50 parts by weight of said SEPS; and said gelhas a retained deformation of about 55°-78°.
 47. The gel according toclaim 28 wherein: the amount of said heat distortion additive is 0 partsby weight; the amount of said styrenic block copolymer is 100 parts byweight of said SEPS; and said gel has a retained deformation of about45°.